Paul Cook says he felt this afternoon’s home draw against Blackburn Rovers was probably a fair result on the balance of play.

The game came to life in the second period when Rovers winger Elliott Bennett was given his marching orders for picking up two yellow cards.

Latics couldn’t find a way through a stubborn visiting defence however, but the result keeps Cook’s men in second position.

After the game, he spoke to iFollow Latics: “I thought they came here with a game plan to frustrate us and they had a couple of great counter attacks, albeit they were from our mistakes in possession.

“I’m not sure if we ever looked like scoring today so we must give them great credit for defending like they did. I think a draw was a fair result in the end.”

Bennett was sent off for simulation just before the hour, and despite a number of attacks Latics couldn’t find a way through.

“We can’t comment on refereeing decisions as managers because they happen so quick, but their sending off did have a massive impact on the game because we dominated it from there on in.

“We expect to go on and win the game when they go down to 10 men, but it’s hard when you’re a possession based team to then overload the top of the pitch.

“Everything happens quickly in football matches and these lads aren’t machines, they’re human beings. Sometimes the intake of messages aren’t as easy as fans think and I understand everyone’s frustrations. The lads are doing well though and we’re still unbeaten at home.

“There’s a lot of pluses and positives to take although we’re all a little disappointed because a win would have seen us go top.”